Ferritin Blood Test

Iron is an element that we require for several different bodily processes such as creating new red blood cells, carrying oxygen around the body and strengthening our immune system.

Most of the iron in our bodies is found in haemoglobin, a protein in our red blood cells.

A smaller proportion is stored in a protein called ferritin that is responsible for controlling the release of iron when levels are too low or high.

Iron status tests measure the total amount of iron in the blood with a view to diagnosing anaemia or iron overload (haemochromatosis).

They also test your body's ability to absorb iron as well as the amount of iron stored in your body.

The ferritin concentration within the blood stream reflects the amount of iron stored in your body used to diagnose anaemia or iron-overload